Monthly Archives: October 2017

There’s Nothing Quite Like a Horse

by G G Collins (Copyright 2017)

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I remember: the musky odor of horses, the saddle soap, creaking leather and hooves settling comfortably in straw. I loved my horses, especially one special grey gelding. He was reincarnated as Pepper in my recently released book for teens, Flying Change. My pets frequently appear in my books. Sometimes their names change, sometimes not.

Girls who love horses almost have an extra growth period in their lives. It’s wedged between being a toddler and discovering boys. We read everything we can get our hands on that tells us how to care for and train horses. Every minute away from school was spent in the stable mucking out stalls, grooming and riding. Riding almost came last because it was more a reward for all the work we did to make our best friend comfortable and healthy.

Horses are the most wonderful creatures. They go beyond beautiful, graceful and playful. They listen without judgment; their elegant necks soak up our tears and their soft lips lap at our fingers seeking out treats. They are a pure presence in girls’ lives. We’re always young girls around horses.

A Faded Photograph of My Horse

When he was born, I was nine years old. I got up early and ran out to meet him. He came right up to me, but his mother had other ideas and shooed him away. That didn’t last long. This little guy loved the body brush. As a colt he would lean toward me as I brushed his neck until he almost fell over!

I began placing a saddle blanket on his back when he was about a year old. Slowing, as he grew, I added a saddle. Later on, I’d cinch it lightly. There was plenty of time back then. Finally, the day for the bridle came. He mouthed the bit and accepted it. He didn’t have any of the temper his mother had, although he did buck me off once. I don’t know why.

Some of us stay horsey our whole lives, even if we don’t have the privilege of a companion horse. The day he died, a little bit of me died too, along with my childhood dreams of becoming a great equestrian. He was buried in the field where he fell. Another family lives there now and they have horses so his spirit isn’t lonely.

If there were ever a moment in time I could revisit, it would be an afternoon with my horses.

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